2018
New Beginnings
Equity and Transformation is established to uplift the voices and power of Black Chicagoans engaged in the informal economy. It is one of the only active organizations that focuses exclusively on informal workers.
March 2019
Chronic Conversations
EAT launches the first series of Chronic Conversations at Coronation Creatives on the West Side, the Silver Room in Hyde Park, and the Bronzeville Incubator.
May 2019
Cannabis Legalization Victory
Equity and Transformation and the PURE Cannabis Coalition help pass HB 1438, legalizing recreational cannabis in Illinois. HB 1438 was the first bill to address reparations and divested communities due to the War on Drugs.
August 2019
Benin Chapter
EAT establishes a chapter in Benin, West Africa.
February 2020
People's Black Caucus
EAT and the Electoral Justice League host the People's Black Caucus at the Sankofa Cultural Center, one of the organization's first political education events.
April 2020
COVID-19 Response
EAT distributes $46,840 in direct mutual aid, along with the COVID-19 life kit to 849 households of Chicago’s South and West sides.
August 2020
Freedom Summer Fellowship
EAT and the Movement For Black Lives launch the Freedom Summer Fellowship on the West Side of Chicago. EAT onboarded ten brilliant Fellows who organized and advanced EAT's 2020 campaigns.
December 2020
Treatment Not Trauma
EAT joins the Collaborative for Community Wellness to help develop and pass Treatment Not Trauma, a policy that calls for non-law enforcement responses to mental health crises.
January 2021
Survival Economies Report
EAT and UIC's Department of Urban Planning release the Survival Economies Report. This report was the first to examine the Black informal economy in Chicago. It provided essential data to help understand the impact, needs, and barriers of informal workers.
June 2021
The Big Payback
EAT introduces the Big Payback Drug War Reparations Campaign to win statewide reparations for survivors of the War on Drugs.
July 2021
Breathe Act
In January 2021, the Illinois General Assembly passed HB3653, incorporating approximately 80% of the Illinois Breathe Act provisions. This landmark legislation represents a significant shift in the state’s approach to criminal justice reform, focusing on police accountability, demilitarization, and community reinvestment.
August 2021
Night Out for Safety and Liberation
EAT and the BEAR Initiative host Chicago's Night Out for Safety and Liberation at the Sankofa Center. EAT members gathered to redefine and reimagine what public safety means for their communities.
November 2021
Chicago Future Fund
EAT launches the Chicago Future Fund, the nation's first guaranteed income program exclusively for formerly incarcerated people.
January 2022
EAT Joliet
EAT Joliet is fully established.
May 2022
People's Marketplace
EAT hosts the first People's Marketplace, a pop-up shop for entrepreneurs in the informal economy to grow their businesses through sales, networking, and conversation with others in the informal workforce.
August 2022
The Big Payback Concert
EAT throws the Big Payback Concert at the Metro featuring Twista, Shawnna, Crucial Conflict, and Do or Die, bringing iconic music and Drug War Reparations action together.
“As a culture worker who belongs to an oppressed people my job is to make revolution irresistible.”
Toni Cade Bambara
September 2022
BOLD Training
EAT participates in the BOLD Amandla Praxis Training, training dozens of members and staff to become powerful organizers.
February 2023
Chicago Future Fund Round 2
EAT launches the second round of the Chicago Future Fund, providing $500/month to 100 system-impacted residents of Austin, Englewood, and West Garfield Park.
April 2023
You Gon Get This Vote
EAT launches You Gon Get This Vote, an initiative to activate the Black vote across the city during Chicago's mayoral election.
July 2023
The Vision For Drug War Reparations
EAT releases The Vision For Drug War Reparations at The Silver Room Block Party.
October 2023
5-Year Anniversary
EAT celebrates our 5-year anniversary at the Bronzeville Winery.
November 2023
Chicago Future Fund Evaluation
EAT releases the Chicago Future Fund Evaluation Report, highlighting our findings from the inaugural round of our guaranteed income program.
February 2024
Chicago Future Fund Round 2 Conclusion
EAT celebrates the conclusion of the second round of the Chicago Future Fund with a private screening event of "The Big Payback" Documentary at the Harper Theater in Hyde Park.
March 2024
Racial Unity Dialogues
EAT and Working Family Solidarity launch a series of Racial Unity Dialogues at the West Side Center for Justice.
August 2024
Keep It 1000 March
EAT and the IRC organize nearly 1,000 people to march to the Democratic National Convention to demand reparations.
November 2024
Restore Fellowship
EAT and the Restore Fellows embark on their 10-day journey to Benin, West Africa to reconnect with their land, language, and lineage.
Equity and Transformation
Equity and Transformation
Equity and Transformation
Equity and Transformation
Equity and Transformation
Equity and Transformation
Equity and Transformation
Equity and Transformation
Equity and Transformation